NSW have re-signed Waikato utility back Sosene Anesi for next year’s expanded Super Rugby competition, despite his inauspicious Waratahs debut season in 2010.
Anesi’s acquisition from the Chiefs was considered a coup by the Waratahs, but after six starts the one-Test All Black was dropped to the bench for eventual Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale.
Waratahs fans were particularly scathing of Anesi’s performances in the NSW back three during home games at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Coach Chris Hickey and Anesi acknowledged he had to justify his retention next season.
“Personally and for the team I think there’s a bit of unfinished business from 2010 and I’m grateful for the opportunity to come back and make amends for that,” Anesi said.
“Last year I was new to the team, Berrick (Barnes) and Drew (Mitchell) were new to the team as well and KB (Beale) was getting used to a new position so we spent a lot of time developing our combinations and our style.
“By the time we were really hitting our straps the season was almost over but in 2011 we’ll be starting from a much better place.”
Hickey said he was impressed with Anesi’s form for Waikato, but expected to see more out of him during his second season in Sydney.
“I know Sos loved it in Sydney and he was great for the group, but he has more to show us than what he did in 2010,” Hickey said.
“He’s been in great form for Waikato in the NPC and has that ability to fill in anywhere in the back three.”
The 29-year-old will struggle to make the starting line-up given Beale has established himself at fullback while Mitchell and fellow Wallabies speedster Lachie Turner are the first choice wings.
Anesi also faces competition from Auckland wing Atieli Pakalani, who will make his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs.
Tongan-born Pakalani, 21, has signed a two-year deal after two seasons with Auckland.
“It’s going to be a big challenge to push for a place in the back three because it’s full of Test players, but I’m hoping to learn a lot and if I get a chance then I’m going to take it,” he said.
Red Rooster
Guest
Rockin btw H-P was not in the 22 for Biarritz o/n and it was a big game at home v Clermont so their best players would be on display - injured??
Red Rooster
Guest
Batger has had two stints already in the super program on contract at the Tahs and come up short
bozo
Guest
RedRooster For the player it is obviously great to pick up a contact. But why take on an o/s player if there is local talent, unless the o/s is quality /will attract spectators? Anesi fails both tests.
Red Rooster
Guest
So is what D'Arcy doing any different to what Smith, Anesi and Co are doing - looking for opportunity?
Red Rooster
Guest
RR - some of you thoughts are spot on but H-P as a future Wallaby is a stretch on what we have seen so far - He was offered to all the provinces by all accounts and none wanted him? Might get better o/s - hope he does. The reality in Europe is that there are 70 odd professional rugby teams so getting a start is one thing making a difference is another. There are 30 professional teams in France alone so getting a gig is easier than the 5 options in Aust - If the Rebels did not get such a large o/s player concession then it might be different. The Tahs and Force have used their 2 o/s player allocation in the same positions as H-P, The Reds did not use any foreign player contracts and I think the Brumbies haven't either so it would be difficult to blame these two
Rockin Rod
Guest
Why didnt WF keep Haylett-Petty????? He is a future Wallaby now in Biarritz and in their starting xv
Rockin Rod
Guest
R u serious, that is a joke. Basiclly we fill our squads with unwanted players in NZ
allblackfan
Guest
Just read that the Force are on the verge of signing Hurricanes winger David Smith. The Aussie sides are turning next year's Super rugby competition into a BIG JOKE!! It's going to be nothing more than a Super version of the NPC just not as exciting to watch?!
Rockin Rod
Guest
What a disgrace. Why not sign a good player from Shute Shield like Ben Batger or Cam Crawford.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Well Lauchie certainly did look like a completely different player when he returned to the Woodies, that's for sure. Not too sure if that was him enjoying the club scene, a 'kick up the date' that I suspect Robbie gave him or perhaps a bit of both. Hopefully Lauchie can take his good form from the 7's and have a good tour. Then I can hope & pray that Hickey & Co can actually work out a game plan that makes the best use of the talent at his disposal. For a start drop the 'kick the pill away' tactic. It sucks!!!
bozo
Guest
If Bring Back saw Anesi beat 1 tackle, like me he must have seen the trial match in Orange against some Fijian players. He did nothing thereafter, including with Easts in the Shute Shield. Meanwhile a New South Wales kid with talent, D'Arcy, discovers he had an Irish grandparent and heads off overseas to make a career.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
p.Tah Only caught the end of the report. Was thinking of calling the Shoalhaven Shire Council for more details.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
If I was a young NSW up and coming talented outside back I don't know if I would want to sign with the Tah's. Hickey seems to ruin backs very quickly. I think he has definitely set the development of Turner back a couple of years.
allblackfan
Guest
He was having a very good NPC which raises the question: will the Aussie coaching style be able to get a similar effort out of him?
Terry Kidd
Guest
Last week I saw a small story that said the Tahs had cut Anesi .... and I thought yep, ok, he didn't do much. Now this story pops up which says they have signed him and another kiwi winger. What gives at Tahland when they have a Wallaby class back three and a lot of unsigned local talent but go looking for 2 blokes from kiwi land who are unsigned by kiwi franchises? To me that says "Two dud players purchased" .... what a joke !!! Who does the Tah recruiting? Is there no one nosing around looking for talent?
Dexter William
Roar Guru
Marquee Players are supposed to be bringing value to the team and with it skills that can be passed on to other players. How could sitting on the bench be a Marquee signing? And what's more? You seemed proud of the fact that we pay a foreigner to sit on the bench. Come On!!!
Even looser
Guest
Yep!
Denby
Guest
I agree completely, I do not know why they signed him. His form was horrible in the S14. Maybe they got him for a really good price. I did not see the NPC but the article says he was playing very well. Maybe this swayed Hickey to keep him. In my opinion they would have been better off signing a young up and comer.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Obviously I'm missing something here. If it's true that "Anesi will be a bench warmer at best as he was most of last year" (ie not needed), then why the hell did we sign him? What's he bring to the party? Does he put more bums on seats at the game? I don't think so. What's he offer the team? And what's in it for him? He can't possibly think Hickey & Co will develop him and help his playing future. Surely it's just one more example of an opportunity lost to give a Australian 'up and coming' player a chance to have a crack.
allblackfan
Guest
shortage not just in backrow position; Qld just signed a North Harbour midfielder!